Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open (Hollywood Legends #2) (27 page)

“Paige will be vulnerable.” Lyle smiled. “She will need
someone sympathetic. Understanding.”

“Exactly.”

“I will take her on a vacation.” Lyle poured himself a glass
of brandy. He didn’t offer Michael a drink. It never occurred to him. “While
we’re gone, we’ll get married. A long honeymoon, I think.”

Michael knew what that meant. He would force Paige to go
away with him. Force her to marry him. Force her to stay away. If Paige
Chamberlin ever saw Montana again, Michael would be very surprised.

“Tell me about the interview.”

“You don’t want to watch it?”

“Didn’t I already say that?”

Michael put away the iPad.

“Landis’ broken arm happened during a stunt on his last
movie.”

“Stuntman.” Lyle spit out the words.

“There has been speculation that it wasn’t an accident.
Landis reiterates this in the interview. It was suggested the accident and the
explosion could be related.”

“Which means?”

“If the person responsible for the accident came forward and
admitted to blowing up the truck…” Michael let the sentence hang. He would let
Lyle finish. And take credit for the idea.

“Problem solved. There wouldn’t be any need for security.
They would clear out and you could resume keeping tabs on Paige.”

“Brilliant, Mr. Wilson.”

“Yes. I like it. Where do we find someone willing to
confess? Someone who won’t screw it up.”

“Leave that up to me,” Michael said. “The right amount of
money can buy you anyone.” He should know.

“YOU LOOK HAPPY.”

“My world is good,” Paige told Lottie.

“If you can forget the security crew prowling around your
property. And why they’re here.”

“I keep that out of my thoughts.” Most of the time. It
wasn’t always easy. Someone wanted to hurt Nate. Wanted him dead. She could
never forget that. “You met a few of the guys. Tell me. Aren’t they
sweethearts?”

“That wasn’t the word I would use.”

“Don’t say it.”

“Prime beef.”

Paige sighed. “You never do what I ask.”

“Excuse me.” Lottie set out some plates. Since Paige was
restricted to the ranch, she decided to come to lunch. “Beef. All lined up. And
you have turned me into a vegetarian.”

Paige took the casserole out of the oven. She waved it under
Lottie’s nose. “Beef enchiladas. Eat up.”

“I thought I wanted you to take a ride on the Nate-mobile.
It is an upside down universe when you are having sex and I’m not.”

“What about Danny? He’s always happy to be of service. So to
speak.”

“Do not mention that name.” Lottie put a dollop of sour
cream on her enchilada. Then added another for good measure. “He’s on strike.”

“What does that mean?”

“Mmm.” Nate came in through the mudroom, Beauty trotting at
his heels. “What smells so good? Mexican?”

“I thought you were eating with the crew.”

“It’s crowded. Travis and half of his gang are scarfing up
lasagna like they haven’t eaten in days. Wilt is grilling Colin on the latest
cyber whatever. Every woman in there is flirting like mad. I thought I would
take a break and eat with you.”

“They can flirt, but I can’t?”

Paige laughed. “You want to flirt? Go flirt.” When Lottie
started to stand, Paige said, “Where is the fun when you’re doing it out of
spite?”

“Spite?” Nate took three enchiladas and half of the bowl of
guacamole.

“She’s mad at Danny for his one-man version of
Lysistrata
.”

“That isn’t funny,” Lottie flopped down in her chair. “Or
accurate. Danny isn’t trying to stop me from going to war.”

“He wants to be your one and only.”

“So he’s withholding sex?” Nate asked. “Interesting
strategy.”

“One that won’t work. I’ve gone without his brand before.”

“That was when you knew you could get it with the crook of
your little finger.” Paige hid her smile behind her napkin. “Giving something
up voluntarily is a lot different than being forced because the brand was
discontinued.”

“He’s not… Shit. Enough of the roundabout references. Danny
is giving me the cold shoulder. I. Don’t. Care.”

“Fine. Would you like some refried beans, Nate?”

“Are those homemade?”

“Fresh this morning.”

“Load me up.”

“Are you listening to me?” Lottie attacked her food with a
vengeance. “Danny is out of my life. He may have started this brief war, but
I’m ending it. Bloodless. No casualties. We are done. End of discussion.”

“I like Danny,” Nate said.

“Everybody likes Danny.” Taking pity on her best friend,
Paige leaned over and gave her a hug. “Lottie likes Danny. Don’t you?”

“Sure. He is sweet. And great in bed. He’s one of the good…”
Lottie swallowed, her eyes round with shock. She looked at Paige. “Danny is one
of the good guys, isn’t he?”

“Yes, he is, honey.”

“They don’t come around very often.”

“No. So what are you going to do about it?”

“Crap. I need to go.”

Lottie grabbed her purse and sprinted out the door.

“What did I miss?”

“Lottie has seen the proverbial light.”

Paige slid from her chair into Nate’s lap. Laughing, she
peppered his face with kisses.

“Whatever happened, I’m all for it. More kisses please.”

Paige gave Nate a long, hard kiss.

“A spring wedding.”

“What?” Nate’s hands stilled on Paige’s waist.

“For Lottie and Danny. His mother will be over the moon. So
will Lottie’s.”

“My brother is getting married in May.”

“That’s nice.” Paige gave Nate a final kiss on the cheek
before moving to get him a glass from the cupboard. “Tea or water?”

“Milk. Paige.”

“Such a good boy. Your mother would be proud.”

Paige set the glass in front of him. Before she could clear
away Lottie’s plate, he took her hand.

“Paige.”

Tipping her head to the side, she gave him a puzzled look.
“What?”

“Have you ever thought about when you would like to get
married?”

Paige pulled her hand from Nate’s. Palms suddenly felt damp.
Why would he ask her about marriage? Nervously, she rubbed her hands on the
legs of her jeans.

“No.” Paige frowned. “I mean, naturally I’ve thought about
getting married. Who doesn’t? I always thought we would have it here, on the
ranch. The time of year didn’t matter. That was before my mother died. It
hasn’t crossed my mind since.”

Which was a lie. She thought of marriage. With Nate.
However, she couldn’t tell
him
that.

“Your dad would like grandchildren.”

“Sure.” Paige took the dishes to the sink. It was easier to
have the conversation with her back to him. “Someday.” She took a deep breath.
“How about your parents? Are they after you,” she quickly added, “and your brothers
to give them grandkids?”

“They don’t push, but I know they want some. Wyatt was
married. But his wife was a mess. It was probably for the best that she didn’t
have a baby.”

“Now there’s Garrett.”

“And Jade.” Nate smiled.

Hearing the affection in his voice, Paige glanced over her
shoulder. “You like her.”

“I do. She went through a lot. Abuse. She’s strong.
Resilient. And she loves my brother with all her heart. How could I not like
that?”

“You would have to be an idiot. And you are not that.”

Please
. Paige closed her eyes, making a silent plea.
Do
not tell me I’ll find someone.
The last thing she wanted to hear was Nate
placating her with predictions of her future. She wanted to yell at him to shut
up. Instead, filled with dread, she clutched the counter and waited.

“The reason I asked—”

“I do like those young men.” Chuck entered the kitchen
laughing. “They are hardworking and dedicated. Admirable, especially in this
day and age.”

“I should get back to work.”

“Did I interrupt something?” Chuck asked, frowning at the
door Nate so hastily exited.

“No,” Paige shook her head. “Your timing couldn’t have been
better.”

“HOW MANY DAYS shooting do you think we have left?”

“Another week. Are you looking forward to getting back to
your regular routine?”

Nate already knew the answer to his question. Homer had
taken to movie making like a duck to water. It was going to be hard to keep him
here in Montana now that he’d had a small taste of the business. If he decided
to give Hollywood a go, Nate planned on making sure the young man had a job and
a place to stay waiting for him. Homer had a good head on his shoulders, but it
was easy to be seduced by the glitz and glamor — especially when he was new to
it. He felt a sense of obligation. If Homer had caught the fever, Nate was the
carrier.

“I like this routine a lot better.” Homer carefully lowered
the camera into its case. “Nate—”

“Hmm?” Nate scrolled through the messages on his phone. Most
were from Wyatt. Big brother’s team had been fielding offers ever since Nate’s
interview aired. It was an interesting and strange mixed bag. If he chose, he
could host a reality show to find the next great stuntman or pose nude in
Playgirl. It was a big hell no on every offer. When Homer didn’t answer, Nate
put the phone away and looked at the young man.

“Is there a problem?”

“No.” Homer ran his hand over the camera case. “I have a lot
to learn about filmmaking.” He turned to Nate, an intense longing in his eyes.
“I want to learn it all, Nate.”

“Think long and hard, Homer. Hollywood can chew you up and
spit you out in the blink of an eye.”

“I won’t change my mind.”

“I didn’t think you would. Give me your phone.” Taking it,
Nate entered his number. “Give me a few weeks. Then call me. If you’re willing
to start at the bottom and work hard, I know you have a bright future.”

“Wow!” Homer stared at Nate. “Wow! I’ll work my ass off,
Nate. I promise.”

“I know you will. One more thing,” Nate called out when
Homer was halfway to his car.

Skidding to a halt, Homer turned around. “What?”

“That number is for your eyes only. If I start getting phone
calls from giggling teenagers, it will be your ass in a sling. Understood?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll secure the number right away.” Homer
grinned. “I can’t trust my mom. The other day I caught her watching some clips
on YouTube. Did you know there’s a channel devoted to you?”

Nate groaned. “I knew,” he informed Homer. “Drive safe.”

Shaking his head, Nate picked up the camera case and headed
toward the house.

Homer’s mother
.
Jesus.

NATE JUMPED IN the cab of the spiffy new Ford F-150. The
Supercrew was similar to the one he had recently purchased back in Los Angeles.
It had all the bells and whistles, including the aluminum body and
twin-turbocharged Eco Boost V-6 engine. It was a dream to drive and if Paige knew
it was in her name, she would blow a gasket.

He would cross that bridge when he came to it. For now, he
had the memory of Paige’s eyes lighting up when the truck was delivered. When
he dangled the keys in front of her, he could tell she wanted to snatch them
out of his hand. Paige, being Paige, reiterated that the truck was his. She
would use it because it was there and he was kind enough to offer, but when he
left, so did the truck.

Nate simply nodded, failing to correct her on two important
points. The truck was Paige’s. Fully paid for. Fully insured. And he wasn’t
leaving unless she came with him. That was something they would work out.
However, Nate’s mind was made up.

Paige was his future. In Montana. In Los Angeles. In
Timbuktu. He loved her. He ran a hand over his chest — over his heart. It felt
good to admit it, even if it was only to himself. He was almost certain she
loved him. The rest was window dressing, as his father liked to say. Easily
torn down and rearranged. If you had love, nothing else mattered.

“Ready to go?” Nate asked his passengers.

“I am,” Travis said, buckling his seatbelt. “Beauty is
already out like a light.”

Nate looked behind his seat. Curled up on her blanket,
Beauty let out a noise that was somewhere between a snort and a sigh.

“She slept all the way here and she’ll sleep all the way
back.”

“I don’t doubt it. I walked her around while you were with
the doctor. Or should I say, she walked me.”

“She isn’t used to a lead,” Nate defended. “We’ll take a few
classes when we get to Los Angeles.”

“She’s smart. It won’t take her long to learn.”

Nate pulled out of the parking lot, merging into traffic. He
flexed his left hand. It was a relief to have the cast gone. He liked Dr.
Sanders. In her early sixties, she was professional while keeping a twinkle in
her eyes. Her desk was littered with pictures of her family. A husband of forty
years, three children, and seven grandchildren. Her first great-grandchild was
due in January.

After examining his hand and ordering x-rays, she declared
the break healed. She gave him a rubber ball to squeeze and a set of daily
exercises to help regain strength and flexibility.

“My nurse has been in a tizzy ever since you made your
appointment, Mr. Landis. Would you mind taking a picture with her? I know you
must get tired of being asked.”

“Putting my arm around a beautiful woman? Why would that get
old?”

Before he was finished, Nate posed for six pictures and
signed as many autographs. Even Dr. Sanders got in on the action.

“As long as everyone else is doing it,” she said with a
blush. “My granddaughter Sadie will be jealous. You are her screensaver on all
her devices.”

Either he was getting used to the attention, or Dr. Sanders
and her associates were somehow the exceptions. Nate found it easy to be
gracious — even enjoying their excitement. When he volunteered to leave a
voicemail message for Sadie, Dr. Sanders swore that the girl would be floating
off the ground for weeks.

They had been traveling south about twenty minutes when
Nate’s phone rang. Not taking his eyes off the road, he handed it to Travis.

“Who is it?”

“Jack.”

“Put it on speaker.”

“Jack,” Nate said. “Tell me you have good news.”

“Hello to you too.”

“Hello, and kiss my ass.”

“Now was that so difficult?” Jack chuckled. “Good manners
cost nothing, you know.”

“I’ll send you a thank you note as soon as I get home, jerk.
What’s up?”

“Who is with you?”

“Hey, Jack.”

“Travis.” Jack instantly turned serious. “Good. I can fill
you in at the same time. Nate? Do you know Bernie Renshaw?”

“The name sounds familiar.” Nate searched his brain. “I
can’t place it.”

“That director you sent to the hospital with a broken jaw?
Bernie Renshaw was his personal assistant. He turned himself into the LAPD this
morning. He confessed to everything. The failed stunt and the explosion.”

Nate didn’t know what to say. Yes, he did.

“Why? That incident happened over a year ago. Todd Winesap
didn’t press charges because he didn’t want the publicity. He’s a lousy
director and a worse human being, but I can’t imagine him being behind this.”

“Renshaw claims he acted on his own.” Nate could hear the
doubt in Jack’s voice. “Winesap’s stock fell pretty fast after that crap he
pulled with your crew. Add in bad box office returns on his last two films and
you have a man scraping the bottom of the directing barrel. Infomercials don’t
pay a lot. Winesap fired Renshaw a few months ago. He got a job as the
assistant to the second unit director on your last movie.”